Waterlogged Stress (Melody)

some coincidences are deliberate

Melody Black

Okay, so this was definitely a misstep - and so soon after she’d just mentioned not wanting to make Melody uncomfortable. The only real question was how big of one it was, and whether or not it could be corrected eventually. Natural instinct was for her to draw in the corner of her mouth even further, but she managed to fight it and take a somewhat awkward sip of water.

But right! The cue was picked up on; the first step now was obviously to shift focus back to something not so starkly personal. Thankfully the topics Marie felt guarded about were tucked away pretty neatly, so hopefully she could help steer this conversation back.

”Personally I didn’t start out with any real vested interest in music. My dad used to be a jazz musician and sometimes he’d take out his old sax and play something, but it was just a neat thing that happened sometimes. Didn’t click.” A half-shrug punctuated her sentence. ”I didn’t have many concrete interests as a kid, actually. My parents said I ‘painted with a broad brush’.” There was a brief waggle of her eyebrows, to indicate that she saw the inherent humor in that statement.

”This is non-congenital; happened not too long after I finished puberty.” What followed was her hand circling her face in a lazy gesture. ”So everything felt really weird and ridiculous for a while.” Prooooobably not a good idea to mention her depressive fit, so yeah, let’s skirt around that.

”Then one day I heard my dad bust out the sax again, which he hadn’t done since before I became disabled, and suddenly it did click. I asked him if he could start teaching me to play, worked at it, and now here I am.” With her hands feeling restless as usual, she picked the skewer back up from her plate and slowly spun it between the tips of her forefingers. ”Though if you’d told child-me that I’d grow up to be a musician, I’d have probably looked at you like you were crazy before kicking your shin.”

CODED BY DUCKIE OF GS

"Oh, yeah?" Melody didn't take long to get over her embarrassment. Well, that was a lie, she was hyper aware that the girl now knew that it was possible Melody liked her. Okay, so that wasn't how people normally were, but for some reason when someone found out you liked people of the same gender, they automatically thought they were all targets, which simply wasn't true. Sure, she could, admittedly, be a little bit of a letch if girls were hot enough, but it wasn't like she was some creepy guy or something. Being a girl and all she was used to girls and could at least be tasteful about things. Right?

Okay now why was she going down this path? She'd been about to comment on what Marie was saying. "Er, sorry, got distracted for a moment. What I meant to say was, That's interesting. I can't imagine wanting to do anything else. It's like, my life basically." Nice save. "I've never really been into shin kicking, but... if I'm honest I was a bit of a jerk before I moved here. I didn't realize how stupid I was until people started making fun of me for, well, what I just accidentally admitted to you."

some coincidences are deliberate

Melody Black

”Yeah, once you make that connection in your head to something you really care about it’s hard to think of any alternative.” Idly she set down her skewer, now bereft of meat, on the plate. Pretty soon the server should be bringing over some curry bread; truth be told, Marie wasn’t really that hungry right now, but she always had room for curry bread. Especially if it was deep-fried. She didn’t possess nearly enough recklessness to attempt to deep-fry anything, so this was something to be considered a rare treat, usually prepared by her mother.

Another one of her patented disarming shrugs preceded her next words. ”Everyone makes mistakes, and everybody has the potential to be a jerk. I don’t beat around the bush that I was a downright brat at the best of times.” While waiting for the server to appear again, she leaned against the back of her chair once more; thankfully the chairs weren’t rigid and were actually quite comfortable, otherwise she’d probably be fidgeting a whole lot more.

”But I definitely wouldn’t think you’re stupid for that. It can be hard to look at things from a different perspective, and going through a self-analysis like that takes a lot of guts. I mean, that’s really how you grow as a person anyway.”

CODED BY DUCKIE OF GS

"Yeah, I hope you're right," Melody agreed. It was true, she did strive to be a lot nicer than she used to, so maybe she'd grown some, herself... but to be honest she hadn't really thought of any of it that way. She'd just known she didn't really like the way being bullied made her feel and that she had resolved to stop. It had been too late at the other school; the girls and even some of the guys had been rather hellbent on getting back at her... but here, well, she was actually having a nice dinner with a new friend.

"So what do you think of the place?" Melody couldn't help but ask in order to change the subject and her own thought process a bit. "The chicken is fantastic... in my opinion, at least. And it's nice and relaxing despite being, well... anywhere in public." She was outgoing, but she wasn't... a people person. There was a difference, and she walked a fine line. She could easily be friendly or hold a conversation, but that didn't change the fact that she was uncomfortable in large groups. The only time in the world that she stopped caring was when she was singing and playing her guitar.

some coincidences are deliberate

Melody Black

”It’s pretty great. I’d overheard some girls talking about how they didn’t think it was “cool” or something, but it seems like they’re just missing out. And yeah, it's a nice atmosphere too.” As she spoke, she turned her head this way and that way, as if trying to suss out the source of something. ”Little bit of ambient music helps also. I can’t tell if it’s just a radio they have sitting somewhere or some small speakers, but a lot of other places don’t take into account how volume levels work in their spaces.”

And then she picked up the scent of something in the air, and an expectant look settled on her face as she raised her glass and waited for their server to reach their table. ”And if people haven’t been exaggerating about their curry bread, then we’re both in for a real treat.”

CODED BY DUCKIE OF GS

Melody had actually never tried curry bread. It sounded like something straight out of one of the animes she'd loved as a kid, but it did sound kind of delicious. Well, maybe. She'd liked other curry things she had tried back home, and a few of the things she'd had at the cafeteria in Fukui. "The chicken was good enough. If the curry bread was better I might not be able to eat anywhere else," Melody joked.

Marie was right about the atmosphere though. It was one of those things she would have probably never noticed or even thought about, but it did seem like the little place put a lot of thought into what it did have. It was pretty impressive, and with the low costs... Melody hoped to get to come more often with friends and things. "It's a great little find, that's for sure," Melody nodded.

The server came and took the glass, quickly bringing back refills for the both of them. Melody gave him a nod of appreciation, wondering briefly if that translated to Japan like she wanted to. "So do you get out and do much like the hot springs and things?"

some coincidences are deliberate

Melody Black

She nodded in agreement with Melody over the place being a great find, although she had no way of knowing she was mimicking the gesture. ”Wish I knew of a place like it back home.”

”That’s a bit of a tricky question,” was what she started with after thanking the server for the refill. Well, she knew the answer to the question, but figuring out the right way to phrase it was another thing. ”I do sometimes, because there’s little sense in not trying to experience things away from home, you know? But I don’t make plans often. I don’t know many people here, and figuring out places to go can be a hassle when I need a second opinion or something.”

And then the scent she’d picked up before grew stronger, and she took a pause in her answer as a platter was set down on their table. Gingerly she took one of the breads from the side, being mindful of the heat as she placed it in front of her and waited for it to cool off a little more. ”Usually I just stay indoors, do low-key things like talking with my friend online. Though she’s apparently away on a trip, so I’ve just been left with the usual stress and anxiety from the start of a new school year.” She shrugged yet again, picking away a small piece of the bread in front of her. ”It’s, uh- what’s that saying again?” Her friend said it to her nearly all the time, she wasn’t sure how she could have trouble remembering it. ”C’est la vie, right?” And she’d probably mispronounced it, too.

CODED BY DUCKIE OF GS

"I've not had a lot of luck with friends, actually," Melody admitted in a slightly quieter voice. Even if she was being honest, it was still a bit shameful to admit. "I'm making new ones here though, or that's the goal. It's kinda like starting over for me, you know?" Melody was quiet for a few minutes after that, letting out an audible sigh. It was exciting to be here and have a new life, but it was also a little depressing to think that she didn't have much she missed from her old one.

"At any rate, if you get too bored, I've got your recorder. You could check up on it every once in awhile," she half joked. "I'm sure it wouldn't mind the company, and I've got a wonderful roommate, but I'm told you can never have too many friends."

It seemed like a nice gesture to her, at least. But more than that, she meant the friend thing. One had to make friends somehow, and spa, tape recorder, and then a dinner seemed like a decent way. Though it also seemed like an interesting first date if it had been one of those. Not that she had any experience in that department.

some coincidences are deliberate

Melody Black | feel like there’s any other points we should hit before this thread ends?

”Well, there’s no better time like the present for that.” Marie was, believe it or not, still aware of some social cues from what felt like forever ago; had they been somewhere not in public where she wouldn’t feel awkward tipping her sunglasses she likely would have winked to punctuate her statement, but instead she settled on a reassuring smile.

Popping a small piece of the bread into her mouth, she took the moment to let Melody recover from her small admission. Well, that and savor the food; she could now confidently state that most of the hearsay she’d heard about this place was an understatement, and that feeling was coming mostly from how pleased she was with their curry bread. She’d probably temper her opinions a little whenever she brought this up to her folks, because while it wasn’t quite as good as her mother’s attempts, she also didn’t want to chance hurting her feelings on the matter.

And then she snapped back to attention as Melody continued, nodding her head lightly as she turned the bread around in her hands looking for the next piece to tear off. ”That sounds like a good idea to me. Sometimes I get a little absorbed in things, but feel free to give me a prod whenever you’ve got a question or you want to hang out or whatever.”

All in all, today was a good day. She’d let off some (figurative) steam and wound up making what appeared to be an actual, honest-to-goodness friend. Who knew? ”For what it’s worth, you’re the first person I’ve really talked to outside of classes this year and it’s pretty cool that you turned out to be nice.”

CODED BY DUCKIE OF GS

"Well yeah that's cause you caught me all jerked out," Melody chuckled, blushing slightly. She was luckier Marie was so nice, otherwise she'd be a lot more riled up from her rant that led to her telling the random new girl she was a lesbian - which, incidentally, was a great way to make people of the same gender who weren't used to such things think you were some crazed lunatic who wanted to get them in bed. Which... usually wasn't true. And sure, Melody had her occasional perv moments, but that simply wasn't true. She had manners, and she could easily control herself. She'd had years of practice.

"I'd like that though. I know where your room is and everything, so there's the possibility of surprise visits!" she chuckled. She wasn't actually that good at being spontaneous anywhere but her own mind, so it probably wouldn't happen without a call. Still... It was a fun thought.

Marie Reisender | Sorry it's so short x3 I'm running out of ideas, unfortunately. At least for now.

some coincidences are deliberate

Melody Black

”Even so.” By this point it was getting to be fairly late, by her best guess; again, she hadn’t been keeping track of the time or anything, but she was aware of the subtle change in the atmosphere as the sky continued to darken overhead. She could’ve double-checked her gut feeling since she’d actually remembered to take her phone with her for once, but she definitely wouldn’t be doing that anytime soon. Too rude.

”As long as you give me even the tiniest bit of a heads-up, I’m perfectly alright with that.” Sure, she wouldn’t really mind all that much if someone did stop by with absolutely no warning, but she certainly would appreciate the opportunity to make sure that nothing was out of place. Organization might be a purely functional concept for her, but she did understand how much of that was a visual thing for others. Gotta keep things all neat and tidy.

By now she’d also managed to nearly finish her second piece of curry bread, which was itself a pretty apt indicator of how long they must’ve spent here and what time it may (or may not) be. ”You could invite your roommate along too, if she wouldn’t mind.”

CODED BY DUCKIE OF GS

"A bit of a head's up? No problem," Melody chuckled. Too bad, that would ruin the surprise part of a surprise visit. Not that Melody was really the type anyway. She was friendly and she had no trouble being social, but she wasn't nearly as impulsive as she might sometimes seem when she was busy having fun. She knew she'd probably be embarrassed if she had a visitor and she had personal things strewn around. Then again she had a roommate so she should probably remember not to leave that stuff around anyway...

Still, the idea was the same, and that was what mattered. "I'm sure Shion would have fun," Melody decided. "She's a bit odd. I really enjoy hanging out with her, but she likes to... not be herself around strangers," she wasn't really sure how to not make her friend look odd by saying 'she pretends to be other characters in public because she's afraid of being judged and found lacking' so that was what she settled on.

Melody flipped open her phone, eyes going wide for a second. It was already that late?! She had homework to do! And she'd promised to hang out with Shion some more! "Wow we've been here longer than I thought." she chuckled. "I've honestly enjoyed our little random encounter. Who'd have thought I'd make a friend by meeting her in a giant bathtub?" Wait that sounded awkward. "Er! I mean, well a spring. It's just... well, you know. Anyway it was fun. Still is. Or... you know, whatever."

some coincidences are deliberate

Melody Black

”Hey, I’m fine with that. Most of us are a bit odd in one way or another! Gives life a needed bit of extra flair.” Another one of her shrugs followed as she sat back in her chair, her plate clean. ”I wouldn’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable like that anyway. I’ve had a lot of practice just taking things in stride.” What Melody had said was vague enough to leave a lot open; regardless, she hadn’t even met this Shion before and she had no idea what their reasons were for being a ‘bit odd’, which meant that she wouldn’t be passing any judgement on it. Not like she’d be doing that otherwise, obviously.

Still, her gut feeling about the time turned out to be right. ”Time does fly when you’re having fun. Though it was kind of late in the evening already back at the hot spring.” After taking a final drink from her glass, she briefly stretched - careful not to bump against anything - before shifting in her seat. ”I’m ready to head back, whenever you’re done?”

For a split second her hand went towards her pocket and wallet, but she corrected herself half-way and made as if to brush something off the pant leg of her jeans. Paying or even offering to pay, when Melody had suggested it to treat her? That’d be one of those, uh, that term again. Faux pas, right? As a result she returned her hands into a clasped position across her lap, but she was still prepared to answer if the topic of payment got brought up.

CODED BY DUCKIE OF GS

It sounded like Marie would be happy to see Melody and Shion in the future. New friends was never a bad thing, Melody supposed. She didn't have many, herself, and she knew she could use some of them. She completely missed the move for the wallet, though even if she hadn't she wouldn't have been insulted at all. Who cared if someone forgot temporarily? At least it meant she wasn't a thief, right?

"Yeah, I really should get back. Shion would worry about me," she giggled. The girl was always fun to hang out with and even share a room with, but the two were so used to their routine when one modified it without saying anything the other tended to worry, and Melody had certainly not thought to in her haste to get out and make a new pal. "Should I walk with you back to your dorm? It's pretty much on the way, of course."